Guest column: Church in politics

October 07, 2008|By Barbi Aumiller

We have all heard the phrase that goes something like this: “You can talk about anything you want except for religion and politics.”

I am not sure who first said this but I seem to go against this direction quite often. Being a preacher’s kid and someone who has worked for Right to Life of Michigan for many years this comes up whenever someone realizes my profession. Being an election year and the proposals on the ballot, politics has been at the top of the discussion list lately.

Most people I have found are pretty open and willing to talk about one issue or the other. When both issues are being discussed at the same time it seems like some folks get a bit more passionate, including myself. Some proclaim that religion should be kept out of politics and visa versa. Others equally proclaim that a person’s religion is bound to influence their politics. I believe the real heart of the matter is a person’s beliefs, a person’s moral compass, a person’s value system is going to be expressed in the way an individual chooses to live out their religious convictions in everyday life.

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If I have a belief system based on the teachings of the Bible and my understanding of being a follower of Jesus Christ it is going to impact the way I live my life. God’s plan and purpose for my life is going to be the priority that guides and directs my life. For me and many people I know it is not necessarily our religion but our personal relationship with God that makes the difference. The objective for my life is no longer based on just what I think is right or wrong but on my understanding of making my decisions based on what is pleasing to God.

The question that I often ask people who want to keep the two issues separate is, why shouldn’t my beliefs also carry over into politics? If I have convictions based on my relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ I would be a hypocrite if I didn’t walk out those convictions in the way I voted or supported political issues. I saw a bumper sticker last week that said “You can’t be Catholic and Pro-Choice.” Like it or not, agree with it or not, there is a person who is willing to express their convictions.

The subject of abortion rights are not just a political issue. The life issues are directly addressed in the Bible. Every major religion in the world has always taken a stand concerning abortion and the life issues until it became politically incorrect to do so. Some have now separated their religion from their politics. Some say that you should not let your religious views interfere with your political viewpoint. What do I have to say about all this? Let me quote the words of Jesus in Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, for him the Son of Man also will be ashamed.”

— Barbi J. Aumiller is the Gaylord, field representative for Right to Life of Michigan.